Written by Joe Lombardi, SWACO’s Executive Director
While most individuals understand the environmental benefits of recycling, many people are just beginning to learn about the importance of recycling for Ohio and America’s economies. From the companies that haul collected materials from the curb at our homes to local processors and recyclers who sell the materials to big brands for their products, central Ohio is home to nearly 400 recycling-reliant businesses, supporting more than 5,000 jobs and generating $1.3 billion in revenue for the region’s economy. These businesses are critical to making recycling work in our region, state, and nation.
Recycling metals is also a big business as it contributes to creating jobs in the recycling industry from collection and processing to manufacturing. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, steel is 100% recyclable and reports that 60 to 80 million tons of steel scrap are recycled per year into new products in North America. Franklin Iron & Metal Corp., in Dayton, accepts steel cans from recycling haulers and offers a service for consumers who want to recycle their scrap metal, which includes everything from aluminum cans to appliances to junk cars.
According to the Aluminum Association, 80% of U.S. aluminum in production today is recycled. Additionally, aluminum cans have the highest value among recyclables. Recycled aluminum cans can be transformed into a variety of products and back on the shelf within 60 days. New products created through the recycling process include:
- New aluminum cans.
- Automotive, aerospace, and bicycle parts.
- Building materials such as windows and siding.
- Electronics.
A percentage of recycled aluminum in Ohio is sent to Constellium Muscle Shoals, a major aluminum sheet supplier in Alabama for the packaging and automotive markets. That recycling center can recycle the equivalent of 20 billion aluminum cans per year.
These businesses represent just one part of Ohio’s robust circular economy so to bring awareness to the growing circularity of our economy, SWACO has teamed up with Columbus Business First to publish our Circular Ohio series. Click the link to learn more about the Ohio businesses turning our everyday household recyclables into new products right here in the great state of Ohio.
If you are an Ohio business that is helping to keep Central Ohio’s recyclables moving through a more circular economy, please reach out and share your story for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or on our social media.
